HSM were hopeful that, in winning the toss and putting Bush in to bat, their bowlers would provide a platform for their batsmen in the second innings.

Keagan Wheeler claimed Bush’s opener for 24 but then HSM’s fielding left much to be desired, with a handful of chances not taken. Bush looked to heading for a score of 250 but a flurry of wickets, thanks to the spin of Lakmal Kasthuri who took five, meant they were all out for 172.

Kasthuri didn’t excel with the bat though, and he was the first to fall for 16 in the fifth over followed not long after by Sam Blennerhassett. Opener Dhiren DeSilva played with patience and maturity and his partnership with Tom Pettet was going well until Petttet was given LBW.

Incoming Colt Ian Harris was also keeping the score ticking over until a great leg slip catch had him for 17. Even when DeSilva was caught for 30 the win was still on the cards but HSM’s lower order showed a lack of patience and their shot selection led to their downfall.

This loss now sees them second from bottom with all to play for over the next couple of weeks when they meet bottom of the table Eastcote on Saturday and then Harrow the week after, whose win against Eastcote this week meant they leap-frogged over HSM.

HSM 2nd XI beat Harrow Town 2nd XI

Harrow Town’s Michael Jadunath was their only batsman to get into double figures hitting 40 of the Town’s 75 all out. Although the wickets were shared among HSM, Tony Wright took the plaudits to finish with figures of 5-2-9-4

In reply, HSM made hard work of knocking off the runs losing five wickets in the chase. Top scorer was Gary Pettet (30).

Darren Bourke hit 62 but HSM thought that their score was below par. However, five wickets from Steve Murphy (19-8-38-5) and three from Charanvir Gill (7-0-28-3) restricted Richmond and they were all out for 120.

This win keeps them top of their league, tied with Teddington.

U10As in Gubby Allen semis

In a round robin league HSM played Richmond, Stoke Newington, Winchmore Hill and Old Actonians.

All of the games were close but this young team (2xU10s, 3xU9s, 1xU8 and 2x U7s) weren’t quite able to close out the games and their only win came against Winchmore Hill.

Stole Newington won all of their matches and progress to the final.

Club Secretary Lesley Brown said, "Given their young age, we are very proud that this young team won their North Area League to get the chance to play in these semis.

"Those younger U7s-U9s will now be able to use this experience during the winter season and we have high hopes that they will return next year."